Unique Portraits

inTempus · Nov 28, 2009

So, I was thinking about mixing things up a bit with a portrait tonight. I called my buddy and coxed him into being my guinea pig with the promise of beer and being able to play COD Modern Warfare 2.

I wanted to take a different approach, mostly by using lighting and very shallow depth of field to get something a little unique or out of the ordinary (at least for me).

Here's the result.

Thoughts?

pugnacious33 · Nov 29, 2009

I really like it. Did you shoot that with the 84 or the 50?

CCarsonPhoto · Nov 29, 2009

Its neat, but it gives the feeling that he's leaning his head forward from his body like an ostrich.

inTempus · Nov 29, 2009

The first image as my first attempt at the concept. After going through the set I learned what I liked and didn't like about the first attempt. I had my buddy come back over today to reshoot and I applied what I learned to this second shot.

This is exactly what I was going for.

CCarsonPhoto · Nov 30, 2009

Looks better. What did you do different?

leighthal · Nov 30, 2009

It look like a mug shot. A superbly done mugshot.... but still a mughot. Which is weird because the first shot doesn't. That 1/4 smile makes the difference I guess.

shutterbug5d · Nov 30, 2009

guys got an interesting face, could have used some powder though hes very shinny, however he doesnt look like the kind of guy that would take kindly to that sugestion

Gaerek · Nov 30, 2009

shutterbug5d said:
guys got an interesting face, could have used some powder though hes very shinny, however he doesnt look like the kind of guy that would take kindly to that sugestion

I think that adds to it. It just feels real and raw to me. We're so saturated with 'airbrushed' (read: photoshopped) models these days that it's refreshing to see a well done portrait of a real person. Great job.

manicmike · Nov 30, 2009

I'm not really sure if it's the right word to use, but it looks like there's a lot of intensity in his face. I really like what you did here.

LarissaPhotography · Nov 30, 2009

I like the concept. Almost like I'm wearing 3D glasses. Definitely more interesting than a flat image. Are you considering using this technique in regular shoots?